Tala held her breath and waited for a shout. She didn't have to wait long before her mind and ears were filled with the same sound.

"Gryffindor!" The hat yelled. Dumbledore gave her a small applause and put the hat back on the shelf.

"That is wonderful news." He said. Tala thought he looked indifferent to the hat's decision. "I'll have a house elf show you to Gryffindor tower." Tala didn't completely understand but she nodded nonetheless. That's when a strange creature popped into existence and began to pull her towards the door. "You'll need some school supplies." Dumbledore called after her. "I'll have a member of the staff take you to Diagon Alley tomorrow." he said as Tala was pulled down the stairs. She barely had time to say 'thank you' but it was the most sincere thing Tala had said since arriving at Hogwarts. Dumbledore just nodded the twinkle still present but his smile faded a bit.

Tala flopped down onto the blood red couch and sighed. So many things had happened in one day and Tala didn't think she could handle it. Her mother's 'accident'. Taken away from her and her brothers. Discovering Hogwarts. She didn't want to think anymore. All she wanted was-

"Tala!" Came a shriek and suddenly her view was blocked by a curtain of orange hair.

"Ginny?" Tala asked. Behind her were Harry, Hermione, and Ron also.

"You're a Gryffindor!" Hermione cheered and Tala was suddenly more excited about it than before. She managed a small smile. She had never met anyone that was so pleased by her presence before.

"I don't have a room yet. Is there an open bed somewhere?" She asked, figuring she could sleep on the couch if there wasn't an available place. Ginny jumped into action, grabbing Tala and puling her up the girls stairs. She came to the third year girls door and was shown inside. The others followed.

"This is the only open one." Ginny explained, pointing to an unused bed in the corner of the room, next to hers.

"Looks great to me." Tala said, happily.

"So, what year are you suppose to be in?" Hermione asked, always the curious one.

"I'm not quite sure." Tala started. "I'm fourteen-almost fifteen. What does that make me?" Ron's eyebrows rose.

"Are you really?" He asked.

"Ron, don't be rude!" Hermione scolded.

"It's just-I thought you looked younger than that." Ron commented, taking a second look. Tala just shrugged.

"I'm sure Dumbledore wouldn't mind if you stayed in the third year dorms rather than the fourth year dorms." Ginny commented. "Where's your stuff. I'll help you get set up." She said, offering her help. Tala blushed.

"I don't really have anything to set up. I'm going to Diagon Alley tomorrow with a teacher to pick up my school stuff." She explained.

"What about your clothes?" Ginny asked. Tala shrugged again. It seemed to be a common occurrence. There was a long pause and Tala felt uncomfortable.

"Hey, Ron. Do you want to play some chess? I bet I could beat you this time." Harry asked. Ron agreed to play but doubted Harry could win. Tala gave Harry a small smile that simply said 'thank you'.

The next morning, Tala was woken early. Ginny shook her awake and let her borrow some clothes before leaving for class. Tala gave herself a few minutes to recall what had happened the day before. She walked downstairs in a haze and out of the portrait.

"It wasn't a dream." She said in amazement.

"Apparently not." Growled a voice from the shadows. Tala jumped a bit and turned to see the strange teacher from the day before. "I'll be taking you to Diagon Alley so you can get your supplies." He said. Tala just stared. "Don't just stand there! Get your shoes!" He yelled.

"Yes, sir." Tala squeaked before racing back to her dorm. She pulled on her sneakers and inspected the bottoms of them. The sole was pulling away from the cloth. She looked at the outer edge of her right shoe.

Happy Birthday Mom, Daray, Ty, Sully, Tamal

She sighed, stood again, and raced back to her professor. They exited out the main door and Tala shivered in the cool Fall air.

"Typical Gryffindor. Forgetting a coat." The professor snarled under his breath. Tala just stared in bewilderment.

"So, what's your name?" Tala started. He didn't respond "what do you teach?" she asked, attempting to put him in a better mood.

"As much as I appreciate the small talk," He didn't sound like he was all that appreciative, "I am Professor Snape and you will call me 'sir' if you wish to speak with me. As if I expected a Gryffindor such as yourself to have that much common sense." He snarled. Tala again just stared. Snape sighed, noticing her dumbfounded look. "I am the Master of Potions." He said simply.

"Really?" Tala asked, eyes widening. "That's one of the ones I can't wait for." Tala said to herself. Snape just sneered.

"Funny." he stated. Tala looked up. "Usual the suck ups are Ravenclaws." he commented.

"You just like being difficult don't you, sir?" Tala asked. She didn't realize how far over the line she had just stepped.

"Ten points from Gryffindor, Miss Lance." He spat the word Lance. "For disrespecting a Professor." Snape growled.

"Ten points?" Tala asked, confusedly.

"Yes." He started "Each house is awarded points for exceptional behavior and points are taken away for unsatisfactory behavior." Snape explained. Tala just groaned. If he was this touchy after a couple minutes, Tala was sure Gryffindor was going to be in the red when they finally returned.

"Wow this coat is really cool." Tala commented, as they waited for her robes to be finished. Tala inspected the long canvas green coat that had a belt around the middle and the sleeves. It resembled a military coat. It was in the second-hand area. She was use to shopping in that area.

"I suppose you do need a coat." He looked at it in disgust, however. "I'm sure the money Professor Dumbledore gave me can pay for something a little newer than that." he commented. Tala shrugged.

"I like it." she said, not caring what he thought. Snape sighed. Tala walked out of Madame Malkins wearing a black scarf and the green military coat carrying two big bags of other clothes. They walked into the apothecary to get potions ingredients. Tala's face lit up when they stepped in. There were bottles and pouches full of every ingredient possible. She couldn't wait to get tutored in potions and be up to par with Gin and the others. Snape noticed her face and realized that maybe she wasn't being a suck-up. He grabbed the necessary potions for the first five years at Hogwarts and had to practically drag Tala from a type of plant she seemed interested in.

"What was that?" She asked, rubbing her nose furiously.

"Those were Crystal Fountain flowers." He stated simply. Tala waited for an extended answer. She didn't receive one

"What's it used for?" She asked. Snape just glared down at her. He growled but answered anyway.

"It's main use is in Veritaserum." Snape sneered, knowing she wouldn't have a clue what it was. Surprise, Snape enjoyed torturing students. Even by means of withholding information.

"Veritas-Veritas-Truth!" Tala cheered triumphantly. When Snape again turned to look at her, she simply smiled. "I took Latin in Secondary School." Snape knew this was going to be a very long day.

"That guy Snape is really testy." Tala groaned, as she flopped down onto the couch in the Gryffindor common room. She lay the bags ontop of her, too lazy to bring them upstairs.

"Snape took you shopping?" Harry asked amazed. "I'm surprised you're still alive." Tala just raised a brow. "Gryffindor probably has no points left though." Tala just stuck her tongue out at him. "I'm just kidding." Harry told her. Tala stood to put her stuff away.

"I like your coat." He said. Tala smiled and inspected it, twirling around to watch it flare out. Harry chuckled.

"I just got it today in the second-hand section of Madame Malkin's" Tala said happily. "Snape didn't like it very much though." She laughed. "Do you want to come with me? I have to thank Dumbledore for lending me the money to get supplies. I haven't really gotten a handle on the wizard money yet. It still confuses me." Harry just nodded. Tala ran up to the dorms to drop her stuff off before following Harry out the portrait.

When they reached the statue Harry began to shout names of treats. Tala joined in and eventually they figured it out. After Tala's excursion to thank Dumbledore, The both went to grab some food. They filled a few napkins and snuck them into the library, where Ron and Hermione were studying.

"If you add the lacewings first, it has time to soak in the water before it comes in contact with the flobberworms." Hermione was explaining to Ron.

"Wow, you must be really smart." Tala commented, setting down her armful of food. Hermione smiled and Ron laughed.

"She's practically a genius." he said.

"Really?" Tala asked. "Do you want to help tutor me so I can catch up?" she asked excitedly. Hermione looked surprised.

"You really want me to help you?" She asked. Tala nodded excitedly. Hermione paused for a minute "At least I'll have someone who will appreciate my help." She glared pointedly at the two boys. They just smiled innocently. "Come on, let's go up to the common room and we can go over some first year material." Hermione dragged Tala back upstairs. The boys were left grabbing the food and running to catch up with them.